Women leading the way in Luxembourg

When it comes to naming streets, the choice is up to communal councils across Luxembourg. However, streets named after women are still the exception.

16.02.2015

(CS/nas) When it comes to naming streets, the choice is up to communal councils across Luxembourg. However, streets named after women are still the exception.

From Michel Rodange to Isaac Newton, Edward Steichen, Robert Schuman, John F. Kennedy or even Prince Félix – a host of men have been chosen as namesakes for streets around the Grand Duchy.

However, women's names are a rarity, except for Luxembourg's Grand Duchesses, who have had a number of streets and boulevards named after them, from Boulevard Grande-Duchesse Charlotte in the capital to Rue Grande-Duchesse Joséphine Charlotte in Ettelbrück and several other towns.

To change this, the national council of women (CNFL) in 2009 founded the initiative “Les Rues au Féminin” to encourage local politicians to be more open-minded in their approach.

Since then, 30 “female” streets have been added to the list. In total, 32 women have become namesakes for streets in Luxembourg. Among them, for example, are the authors Astrid Lindgren and Agatha Christie, as well as educator Maria Montessori and physicist Marie Curie.

Other streets include Rue Anne Frank, Rue Mère Teresa or Rue Ketty Thull, named after the Luxembourg chef.

In Ettelbrück a street was recently named after Félicie Erpelding-Schlesser – the first elected woman politician on the commune's council.

“We got the ball rolling,” commented Monique Stein of the CNFL, adding that several other female street names are up for discussion in communes across the country.

A new brochure, also titled “Les Rues au Féminin” is set to be presented soon, to help communes with their choice.